Bitapaka
War Cemetery
This cemetery is an interesting lesson in the
pivotal role that Rabaul played in the history of WWI, and to the
atrocities and ill treatment of Allied POWs in Rabaul who were killed
at the hands of their Japanese captors, or worked to death as slave
labor. Today, it is well maintained, and meticulously kept by the
British Commonwealth.
WWI - Site of German Radio Station
The location of the cemetery (inland from Kokopo) is significant.
This was the location of the Colonial German Radio station. During
WWI, a force of Allied soldiers attacked the radio station on
September 11, 1914. It was here that the first Australians and
British died fighting the German defenders. Ironically, the first
casualty was a Japanese officer, then an Allied against Germany,
who lead the assault against the station.
WWI - Memorial to AE-1
Australian WWI submarine, the AE1 was lost off
Rabaul with out a trace. All hands aboard died. The circumstances of its loss
and exact whereabouts are still unknown to this day.
WWII MIAs "Known Unto God"
The graves and tall plaques that list the missing
in action and buried dead are silent reminders to the brutal Japanese occupation,
that used its prisoners as slave labor, or shamelessly killed
them in atrocious
crimes or even used them for bayoneted practice. Many of the plaques on the ground
read simply the quote: "Known Unto God" as many remains
were buried in mass graves by the Japanese and impossible to
identify.
Diversity
of Graves
This is not simply an Australian war cemetery.
There are graves of British, Pakistani, Nurses, Papuans, Indians, Fijians and
Muslims, and Allied airmen who were either captured in Rabaul, or imported as
labor. Also, the age of the deceased 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. There are also Victoria
Cross recipients buried here. The history of this one graveyard is worthy of an
entire website.
